Senior Olympians compete on the hardwood

Montana Senior Olympic basketball player Terry Schapla has been a member of a team that has played at the World Senior Games and has seen his fare share of top-notch professionals.

Schapla has played against competition across the world.

“There was pretty good competition in Barbados and we got to play against teams from all over the country,” Schapla said. “We had a good run in the tournament. We even played 5-on-5 and a couple of shooting competitions.”

Schapla has played against several players and former NBA basketball players including Andrew Wiggins and former Rocket player Rudy White.

Kim Atwater, who participated in the Montana Senior Olympics, is a CPA in Seattle, Wash., and said playing 3-on-3 in multiple tournaments is a great way to relieve stress.

“Absolutely, plus it helps the competitive juices,” Atwater said. “You build friendships because the same guys are at the same the tournament. There is a group of guys and families, and our wives go to the tournaments with us and have a good time.”

There was a total of only two teams participating who also qualified to participate in the National Senior Olympics in 2019 when it heads to Albuquerque, New Mexico.